CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
CIGARROS BILLIKEN y LA MODA - JUAN ULACIA BASKETBALL CARD (CUBA)
The name Billiken will likely only sound familiar with very seasoned pre-war baseball collectors. These Cuban-issued baseball cards were made by Villaamil Santalla y Co. and distributed with Billiken cigarettes in the 1920s. The rare 1923-24 Billiken set consisted of 60 cards (all baseball) and examples from this set rarely surface. Rarer still, and hardly known, are the later issued 1926-1928 Billiken cards. The few baseball examples that have surfaced from 1928 are highly desirable, as they feature players from the Cincinnati Reds, likely due to Cuban legend Adolfo Luque being a member of the team. According to the reverse, they made 26 cards in that baseball set. The 1928 cards were card stock, unlike the photo paper stock of the 1923-24 set.
A handful of multi-sport cards have also been discovered, with the same characteristics of the 1928 release. Some of these cards lack the Billiken advertising on the reverse, but the size, stock and font match those that do. The back variation may also lead to an earlier release date, as the hammer-throw champion was a national champion in 1926. I've also seen an example of boxer Eladio "Black Bill" Valdés, who had left Cuba for New York City by the late 1920s.
I can't find any information on the only-known basketball card (and player) Juan Ulacia, although I feel like an issue date for this card somewhere between 1926 and 1928 is appropriate given the comparables and information.
Measurements: 1.875" x 2.5"
1926-28
